Table top washcloth steamer

ABSTRACT

A washcloth steamer is designed as a table top device for a consumer to effectively steam a single washcloth. The washcloth steamer can include a clamshell type housing containing a heating plate therein, The heating plate can receive a damp or wet washcloth and, when the clamshell type housing is closed, the heating plate can warm to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time. An indicator light on an exterior of the washcloth steamer can alert the user when the washcloth is ready for use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/733,747, filed Dec. 5, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to steamers and, more particularly, to a personal, table top washcloth steamer that can provide a hot, steamed washcloth to a user.

Facial pores are closed and need to be opened in order to receive medicinal treatments, for example. One way to achieve this goal is to steam a washcloth that can be applied to the face.

Conventional washcloth steamers, however, are large, commercial devices and are not designed for the individual consumer. Moreover, these conventional washcloth steamers are too large to fit on a consumer's bathroom counter, requiring the user to find an appropriate to store and place when desired for use. These conventional washcloth steamers are designed for steaming multiple washcloths at once and, therefore, may prove inefficient when an individual desires to steam only a single washcloth.

As can be seen, there is a need for a washcloth steamer that is designed for table top use for steaming a single washcloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a washcloth steamer comprises a base housing; a lid housing pivotably opening from the base housing; a heating plate disposed in a region formed between the base housing and the lid housing; and an on-off switch operable to deliver power to the heating plate to warm the heating plate to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, wherein the heating plate is configured to receive a washcloth thereabout.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of steaming a washcloth comprises opening a lid housing that is pivotably connected to a base housing of a washcloth steamer; placing the washcloth about a heating plate disposed between the lid housing and the base housing; closing the lid housing onto the base housing, sandwiching the washcloth and heating plate therebetween; and turning on a power supply to the heating plate to warm the heating plate to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washcloth steamer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the washcloth steamer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the washcloth steamer of FIG. 1, in an open configuration, illustrating the placement of a washcloth in the washcloth steamer; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the placement of a washcloth in the washcloth steamer when in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a washcloth steamer that is designed as a table top device for a consumer to effectively steam a single washcloth. The washcloth steamer can include a clamshell type housing containing a heating plate therein, The heating plate can receive a damp or wet washcloth and, when the clamshell type housing is closed, the heating plate can warm to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time. An indicator light on an exterior of the washcloth steamer can alert the user when the washcloth is ready for use.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a washcloth steamer 10 can include a base housing 12 and a lid housing 16. The base housing 12 may rest on a surface during use or, in some embodiments, as shown in the Figures, may be supported by a plurality of legs 14 extending from a bottom surface of the base housing 12.

The lid housing 16 may be connected at one side thereof with a pivoting connection, such as a hinge 30, for example. This configuration allows the lid housing 16 to be moved between a closed configuration (FIG. 1) and an open configuration (FIG. 3). A lift tab 18 can be provided on the lid housing 16 to provide a location for a user to contact to help left the lid housing 16 into the open configuration. In some embodiments, the lift tab 18 may provide a locking connection to the base housing 12, assuring that the lid housing 16 is secured to the base housing 12 during use of the washcloth steamer 10.

A heating plate 34 may disposed inside the lid housing 16 and the base housing 12 when in the closed configuration. The heating plate 34 can heat to a desired temperature during operation of the washcloth steamer 10. This desired temperature may be from about 100° F. to about 150° F., typically about 140° F., for example. The heating plate 34 may be formed in a shape to receive a washcloth 36 about at least a portion of the exterior surface thereof. The heating plate 34 may take various shapes and sizes, depending on the particular application.

The heating plate 34 may fit within the lid housing 16 and the base housing 12 with space for the washcloth 36 when the washcloth steamer 10 is in the closed configuration (FIG. 4). Typically, the lid housing 16 and the base housing 12 may be designed in a clamshell-type shape to provide the interior compartment for the heating plate 34 and the washcloth 36.

The heating plate 34 may pivotably connect to at least one of the base housing 12 and the lid housing 16. Typically, the heating plate 34 connects to the base housing 12 and the lid housing 16 at the location where these members pivot. In some embodiments, as the lid housing 16 is lifted, the heating plate 34 can automatically raise to provide a region to insert the washcloth 36, as shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the heating plate 34 may independently pivot within the lid housing 16 and the base housing 12.

The heating plate 34 may be powered by electrical power delivered by an electric cord 28 having a plug 26 on one end thereof. In some embodiments, the heating plate may be powered by alternate sources, such as by batteries, or the like.

An on-off switch 20 may be disposed on the washcloth steamer 10 Depression of the on-off switch 20 can cause a first indicator light 22, typically a red indicator light, to illuminate, signifying that the heating plate 34 is warming and providing heat to the washcloth 36. After a predetermined period of time, such as one minute, for example (or a variable period of time, depending on desired temperature), the first indicator light 22 may turn off and a second indicator light 24, such as a green indicator light, can illuminate, signifying that the washcloth 36 has been warmed and is ready to be used as a steamed washcloth. In some embodiments, the on-off switch 26 may be designed to automatically turn on when the lid housing 16 is closed and power is supplied to the washcloth steamer 10.

A control unit 32 can be provided in the washcloth steamer 10 to provide the desired temperature to the heat plate 34, to control the time power is delivered to the heat plate 34, to control the indicator lights 22, 24, and the like. In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism (not shown), such as a turn dial, a digital display, or the like, may be provided to allow the user to select a desired temperature, within a given temperature range.

The washcloth steamer 10 can be made from various materials. Typically, the materials selected will be unaffected by moisture, as the inside of the lid housing 16, the inside of the base housing 12 and the heating element 34 are typically in contact or in the proximity of a warm, wet washcloth, often generating steam.

While the above description describes a washcloth steamer for a user to use on themselves, the steamed washcloth provided by the device of the present invention may be used not only for personal use, but also for other uses, such as cleaning surfaces, for example.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washcloth steamer comprising: a base housing; a lid housing pivotably opening from the base housing; a heating plate disposed in a region formed between the base housing and the lid housing; and an on-off switch operable to deliver power to the heating plate to warm the heating plate to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, wherein the heating plate is configured to receive a moistened washcloth thereabout.
 2. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, further comprising a first indicator light illuminating while the washcloth steamer is in operation over the predetermined period of time.
 3. The washcloth steamer of claim 2, further comprising a second indicator light illuminating when the predetermined period of time is passed and the washcloth is ready for use.
 4. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, further comprising a lift tab disposed on a portion of the lid housing opposite where the lid housing pivots from the base housing.
 5. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs supporting the base housing.
 6. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, further comprising a hinge disposed to pivotably connect the lid housing with the base housing.
 7. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, further comprising a control unit controlling the predetermined period of time and predetermined temperature.
 8. A method of steaming a washcloth comprising: opening a lid housing that is pivotably connected to a base housing of a washcloth steamer; placing a moistened washcloth about a heating plate disposed between the lid housing and the base housing; closing the lid housing onto the base housing, sandwiching the moistened washcloth and heating plate therebetween; and turning on a power supply to the heating plate to warm the heating plate to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising illuminating a first indicator light while the washcloth steamer is in operation over the predetermined period of time.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising illuminating a second indicator light when the predetermined of period of time is passed and the washcloth is ready for use.
 11. The washcloth steamer of claim 1, wherein the heating plate is configured to receive a single moistened washcloth. 